Acid rain is rain, that is acidified in the atmosphere and can be damaging to the environment. Two common air pollutants acidify rain: sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX). When these substances are released into the atmosphere, they can be carried over long distances by prevailing winds before returning to earth as acidic rain, snow, fog or dust. When the environment cannot neutralize the acid being deposited, damage occurs.

The Black Spruce (Picea mariana) is the common conifer of bog habitats in Algonquin Park where it dominates the edges. Black Spruce has a very scraggly appearance, with small, short, drooping branches, small needles, and scaly gray bark. It does not grow as big as Red or White Pine but the Black Spruce gives a northern feel to Algonquin Park.

Predominantly coniferous, the boreal forest extends across Canada from Newfoundland to the Rocky Mountains and from the southern grasslands to the tundra. Characteristic species include White and Black spruce, Tamarack, Balsam Fir, and Jack Pine, with a mixture of broad-leaved trees such as aspen and poplar.

U-shaped region of very hard, ancient rock, composed mainly of granitic and gneissic rocks. It stretches from Newfoundland, southwest to the Great Lakes, and northwest to the Arctic Ocean. Covering more than half of Canada, it also includes most of Greenland and extends into the United States.

An animal with several pairs of jointed legs, a hard protective outer shell, two pairs of antennae, and eyes at the ends of stalks. Lobsters, crabs, shrimps, crayfish, waterfleas, barnacles, and woodlice are crustaceans.

A computer system for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, manipulating, analysing and displaying data related to positions on the earths surface. Typically, a Geographical Information System is used for handling maps. that might be represented as several different layers, where each layer holds data about a particular kind of feature. Each feature is linked to a position on the graphical image of a map.

A space-based, radio-navigation system consisting of 24 satellites and ground support. GPS provides users with accurate information about their position and velocity, as well as the time, anywhere in the world.

Mixed coniferous and deciduous forests found in central Ontario and along the St. Lawrence River valley in Quebec. Characteristic species include White and Red Pine, and Eastern Hemlock. Associated broad-leaved species include maple, oak, basswood, aspen, ash, Yellow Birch and elm.

A term used to describe the hard-shelled fruits of plants such as the seeds of beech and oak. Hard mast is an especially important wildlife food in the fall and winter. It is high in fat content and is available when other plant foods (fleshy fruits and foliage) are not available.

A small, six-legged, air-breathing animal that has well-defined segments, including a head, thorax, abdomen, two antennae, three pairs of legs, and often two sets of wings as an adult. There are more than a million species of insects named including flies, crickets, bees, beetles, butterflies and moths.

Any animal lacking a backbone. Invertebrates are by far the most numerous animals on Earth, both in sheer numbers and species. Nearly two million species have been identified to date. These two million species make up about 98 percent of all the animals identified in the entire animal kingdom.

Molting is the normal process by which a bird replaces its feathers. Broken and worn feathers cannot be repaired so a bird will systematically drop feathers and replace them with new ones. Most birds molt annually, though there is some difference between species. Frequency of molt can also be affected by age, seasonal changes, hours of daylight and breeding activity.
Though there is some difference between species, most birds drop a few feathers at a time and then grow replacement feathers using the same feather follicle. This process allows the bird to maintain their ability to fly during the molt. Even so, the process is taxing and most species become subdued and a bit lethargic.

The mating season of Moose. During mating season bull Moose dig rutting pits in the ground with their hooves, urinate in the pit, and then roll in the urine to cover themselves with this natural 'perfume' in order to help attract cow Moose.

A point above or below a defined temperature that produces a certain sex in animals with temperature dependent sex determination (TDSD). Painted Turtles have two threshold temperatures for sex determination; 22 and 27 degrees Celsius. Above and below these temperatures predominately females are produced. Between these temperatures predominately males are produced.

An animal with a backbone, or spinal column, made of interlocking units called vertebrae. This strong but flexible structure supports the body and anchors the limbs, and it also protects the nerves of the spinal cord. Vertebrates include fish, amphibians, and reptiles, as well as birds and mammals. In all vertebrates, the spinal column forms part of a complete internal skeleton. Unlike the hard external skeleton covering an insect, which is periodically shed as the insect grows, a vertebrate's internal skeleton can grow gradually along with the rest of the body. Vertebrates only make up less than 2 percent of all animal species.

Totalling 12% of Algonquin Park, Wilderness Zones preserve some of southern Ontario's most ecologically intact landscapes in as natural a state as possible. Roads, logging, motorized travel, and other forms of human interference are banned in this zone.

Describes the community of floating, often microscopic, animals that inhabit aquatic environments. Being near the base of the food chain, they serve as food for larger animals, such as fish. One litre of water can contain more than 125 000 zooplankton.